Michael Perez

Michael Perez, commonly known as Mike Perez is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under André Galvao and a representative of the Atos JJ Academy in the sport’s international circuit. Perez earned his reputation as one of the top US competitors of his generation through his wins in important tournaments such as the ADCC US Trials and International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World and Pan American No-Gi Championships.

Michael Perez Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Michael Anthony Perez

Nickname: Perez is often referenced as “el Patron”. The name caught on during the Grappling Pro Championship tournament in 2016, where Mike was cornering teammate Lucas Barbosa. Perez showed up with mustard yellow trousers, a tiger-striped collar shirt and his hair combed back, immediately causing people to correlate the visual with that of Pablo Escobar (AKA el Patron).

Lineage: M. Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > L. Dagmar > André Galvão > Mike Perez

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF Denver Open (2019)
• 2nd Place Kasai II Grand Prix( 2018)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pans Championship NoGi (2018)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place ADCC US Trials Championship (2013/2015)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pans No-Gi Championship (2014 purple)
• 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2015 brown, 2014 purple)
• 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals NoGi (2014**/2013 purple)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2013 purple)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Juvenile World Championship  (2010)
• 2nd Place USBJJF/IBJJF American Championship NoGi (2013* purple, 2011 blue)
• 2nd Place USBJJF/IBJJF American Championship (2011 blue)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017 brown)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2013* purple)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2017 brown, 2010 blue)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: Well Rounded

Weight Division: Peso Pesado (94,30 kg / 208.0 lbs

Team/Association: Atos JJ

Mike Perez Biography

Michael Perez was born on September 14, 1992 in Washington DC though he grew up in between Tennessee and Texas, where his parents were located.

During his mid-teens, Mike decided he wanted to learn how to defend himself in a physical altercation, choosing to sign on to jiu-jitsu classes with Paul Thomas and Brandon Mullins for that effect. It was under the tutelage of these two coaches, at Westside MMA academy that Perez became embedded in grappling culture, going on to add wrestling to his daily routine – competing for Morton Ranch High School during his senior year.

As time went by Perez’ desire to become a full-time athlete grew, and finding out about Team Lloyd Irvin‘s “Medal Chasers” program in Maryland – which offered shelter, food, training, and competition registration fees, he decided to apply. After his acceptance, Perez moved with all his possessions to “The Jungle”, the athletes’ house at TLI where he arrived as a blue belt.

In 2013 Mike decided to leave the Team Lloyd Irvin base camp, claiming maladaptation to the Maryland weather, and the long-distance from friends and family. He found a new home in San Diego, California which was rapidly becoming the sport’s Mecca. He joined the Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy of André and Angélica Galvao.

Enjoying very fruitful competitive years defending the Atos flag Mike Perez earned both his purple and brown belts, conquering also the “Atos Brown Belt of the Year Award” in 2016. His constant positive performances in the colored belt divisions of the sport made way for his promotion to black belt, shortly after the ADCC tournament world finals in which Perez participated, on October 2017.

Michael Perez vs Gordon Ryan (2015)

Michael Perez Black Belt Promotion